Volume Twenty Eight

Issue Two

August 26, 2011

Message from the School Head, Roy G. Crawford

Our NISC Vision: Inspiring ethical, respectful and compassionate global leadership.
Please be reminded of the following calendared events: 3 September at 12:00 NOON: Our annual NISC family picnic with food and fun for all. We are starting early this year hoping to beat any afternoon rain. 6 September at 5:30 PM: Board of Trustees Meeting 13 September at 6:00 PM: Annual General Meeting for the Parent Group. Parent Group: It is the responsibility of parents to organize and run the Parent Group and the AGM. I am quite willing to help organize the event. Parents who would like to assist with the AGM, please email me immediately at roy_crawford@nisc.edu.kh. Campus Security: Most of you and your caregivers have seen Ms. Bopha and been issued ID badges. Please wear those badges in plain view whenever you are on campus. If you have not received a badge, please do so immediately. On 30 August we will begin strict enforcement of this policy and all visitors to campus will be required to have either a NISC issued photo badge or a visitors badge. During afternoon dismissal, please stay in your car if you are blocking other vehicles. Parking: We continue to complete parking lot construction and the traffic flow improves daily. We are completely emptying the parking area (over 300 students!) after school in 10-15 minutes, which is really quite remarkable. Many thanks for your patience and cooperation. Publications: Within the next month, we will be unveiling a new Mekong Messenger design and format being created by ICT teacher Mr. Maciej and his students. In addition, we are dramatically redesigning and updating our website. Please be looking for these exciting new communications. Again, welcome back to school and thank you for trusting us with the very important job of educating your children. See you September 3 at the picnic!

NISC Family Barbecue for all NISC families

Saturday, 3 September; 12:002:00 pm
Come along to socialize with NISC teachers and assistants, other parents and families of the school. It will be an informal day of great food and fun!

Modeling the IB Learner Profile

As we implement the IB programmes at NISC, you will hear more and more about the IB Learner Profile from students and teachers. The IB Learner Profile was first developed as a list of traits that describe an internationally minded person. It describes a set of ideals that we want all IB students to model. Think of it as how we would see the IB Mission displayed in our students. The Learner Profile helps us focus on the positive characteristics we want students to possess and show through their actions at NISC. The ten characteristics of the IB Learner Profile: Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Thinker, Communicator, Principled, Openminded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective. At NISC we want to foster a school community that embodies the IB Learner Profile. In our work with students, we will use the Learner Profile to reinforce the positive behaviors we want to see in our students. We work with students to be principled, caring and effective communicators. We encourage them to be knowledgeable yet open-minded. We also support them to be balanced risk-takers and to be reflective. We encourage parents to use IB learner profiles at home. When your child refuses to eat vegetables at dinner, you might ask them, are you being a balanced risk-taker? At conferences in October, when your child explains how they performed on a project, compliment them on being a good communicator and how reflective they are. If your student wants to spend all of their time on their computer and not engaging with family, ask them, are you balanced? As a school community, we can use the words of the IB Learner Profile as a way for our students to learn about themselves and how their actions impact their learning and the quality of life for others. Want to be more knowledgeable about the IB Learner Profile? Be an inquirer and thinker and join us at one of the parent evenings to be announced later. Mr. Steve Paterson, Upper School Principal

Balanced Knowledgeable

Principled
Communicators

Caring

Risk-takers

The Diploma Programme Grade 11

Zen Meditation
The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a core component of the IB diploma programme and encourages students to ask essentially the question how do we know what we know? As part of the ways of knowing students spent time around the Northbridge lake area using their senses to make sense of the environment around them. This was followed up in the next TOK session with the opportunity for students to experience sensory information whilst meditating and to experience the state of mind during silent meditation. The Grade 11 students were shown Zen meditation by a visiting Zen nun and Zen practitioner. Both have spent many years practicing Zen meditation and their expertise enabled our Grade 11 students to benefit from the experience.

MYP Technology
Technology is one of the eight learning areas in the IB MYP program, with IB defined aims, objectives and assessment criteria. Inquiry and problem solving are at the heart of MYP technology. MYP technology uses the design cycle as the model of thinking and the strategy to help students investigate problems and design, plan, create and then evaluate the products or solutions they generate. A product or solution can be defined as a model, prototype, product or system that students have generated independently. This means that MYP technology expects students to become actively involved in and to focus on the whole design process rather than only on the final products/solutions. MYP technology requires the use of the design cycle for solving problems in technology that are presented by the teacher, and this promotes a practical and inquiry-based approach. Students should develop not only the practical skills of using many programs and tools appropriately, but also creative and critical thinking strategies. So what happens in the classroom? This week we look at Grade 8s latest challenge. Students are working alone to create a record book that will track and chart their MYP grades in all subjects over the year. To help them complete this task students will, as mandated by the International Baccalaureate, follow the steps of the design cycle: Investigate: the unit question of Can the use of technology affect the learning of students?, identify how spreadsheets can contribute and be used in our environments, and the construction and use of formula within a spreadsheet program to help them complete the task. Design and Plan: an acceptable visual design plus a detailed plan of resources and time. Create: the spreadsheet to identified specifications. Evaluate: carry out testing for effectiveness, reflect on strengths and weakness of product and the effectiveness of learning strategies they have employed. Students have now completed their Investigation and skill exercises on formula creation and use, and are now poised for the next section of their design cycle work.

Reflecting
Please consider the following questions: If you were your child, would you consider your house caring? If you were your child, would you consider your house loving? If you were your child, would you consider your house as a place of learning? It is appropriate for you as a parent to stop for a moment and reflect on the nature of your house. Sometimes we can get caught up in the business of the day or the habits of our past. Reflection is a big part of the IB program at NISC and could be a valuable tool at home. Our children need caring, love, direction, limits and accountability in order to be successful. These questions can help in making the vision for your child go hand in hand with the atmosphere of your home. NISC will also consider the following questions as well; If you were a child, would you consider NISC caring? If you were a child, would you consider NISC loving? If you were a child, would you consider NISC a place of learning? As I stop for a moment and reflect on the atmosphere of NISC I am excited. NISC is a caring and loving place to learn. It does not take a visitor very long to see a caring and loving staff dedicated to your childs learning. It does not take a new student long at all to feel part of something very special. We will continue to evaluate NISC and keep moving forward. Imagine your child, 24 hours a day, in a caring, loving and learning environment. Lets make it happen. Relentlessly Positive, Mr. Robert W. Cody, Primary Principal

Counselors Corner
This weeks Counselors Corner focuses on NISC students going to university. As students and their parents work their way through the college application and acceptance process, they will encounter phrases that may be new to them. Below are a few common phrases that students and parents might encounter. College vs University: You may wonder why some people use the phrase, going to college when they really mean going to university. This is because many universities (especially in the United States) started as colleges that is, they started as post-secondary (after high school) institutions that offered only one type of four-year degree. Over time, these schools have grown into universities that offer degrees in many different fields yet kept their original names. Examples include, Barnard College, Vassar College, Middlebury College, and Swarthmore College. A college/universitys website will list the different degrees offered by that institution. Sticker Shock, Grants, and Scholarships: Sticker Shock (:-O) is the experience that students and parents may have when they see the cost of attending a university. Remember, universities may offer grants that reduce the cost of tuition. Universities commonly use formulas that consider parents income and assets when determining how much students must pay for tuition. Often, private universities have the most control over how much they will charge students for tuition. Public universities, such as UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) are governed by state law and funded by taxpayers. These public schools may have fewer dollars for students whose parents dont live in their tax-collection areas (in the case of UCLA, the tax collection area would be California). In addition to grants, most universities also offer Merit-based Scholarships and Need-Based Scholarships. Merit-based scholarships, also called Academic Scholarships, are based on a students grades in high school. The higher a students grades, the better chance they have of receiving a merit-based scholarship. Need-Based Scholarships focus on need that is, how much extra money a family will need in order to send their daughter or son to university. SAT & AP Exams: All seniors have been given a list of dates for the SAT and AP exams. These exams are necessary for student who will be attending university in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries as well. It is important that students pay attention to the dates for signing-up for the exams. Students and their parents are welcome to speak with Mr. Steve, the Upper School Principal, and me, about students university plans. Good luck to students and their parents on this newest and very exciting adventure. Mr. John Nash, Counselor

Parent Meetings
This year NISC plans on having parent meetings off the NISC campus. We understand that it can be a challenge to get to NISC after a long day at work, so NISC will be coming to you. Toul Kork, BKK and the Riverfront would allow NISC to reach out to parents in their neighborhoods. We would like parent volunteers to let us use their house or place of business to host a meeting. Your responsibility: As host, you would be responsible for light drinks and snacks for the guests. NISC responsibility: NISC would publish your home/business address on a flyer to alert parents of the location and time of the meeting. Interested? Please email me at rob_cody@nisc.edu.kh Rob Cody, Primary Principal

The NISC High Role-rs

In keeping with our NISC Vision, a new class has begun that lets students explore their artistic and creative sides while developing an appreciation for drama and all its genres. Students from Grade 9 along with their teacher Ms. Deepika, use various dramatic techniques to explore ideas, issues and dramatic texts. The different facial expressions, gesticulation, intonation and articulation are emphasized through class activities and warm-up sessions. Referencing visual and audio recordings of great dramatic performances provides a sound foundation for students to develop their own abilities. The students recently conducted an experiment called Freeze in Motion in the cafeteria during lunch time. Students froze in one place at the same time and held that position for 5 minutes. It was interesting to note the reactions of the other students! Following in Jerry Lewiss footsteps, the students are now exploring the dramatic style called pantomimes. Keep an eye and an ear out for their next dramatic outburst! Break a leg guys!*

*"Break a leg" is a well-known idiom in theatre which means "good luck." It is typically said to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform.

New Library Hours

Hi Everyone, After a restful summer vacation, we came back to see all sorts of progress made at NISC, and the library is no exception. To begin with, the library opening hours for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be extended until 6:00 in the evening. Saturday 3rd September will mark the beginning of Saturday library opening and to celebrate we invite you to a library "extravaganza", to be held between 8:30 am and 11:30 am, prior to the NISC Family Picnic. The highlight will be an exciting performance by the renowned magician Mr Solo. There will be snacks and drinks, some games and many lucky-draw book prizes. We will also display hundreds of fabulous new books which arrived during the vacation and which we are now processing. So mark 3 September as a special Saturday. With regard to our academic programme, the school is forging ahead with the implementation of the PYP (Primary Years Programme), the MYP (Middle Years Programme) and the DP (Diploma Programme), all under the banner of the International Baccalaureate (IB). This means that the library is becoming very busy with students from all age groups dropping in for research purposes. This is very encouraging because students are developing the self initiated learning styles that will help them be successful when they attend universities around the world. In closing, I'd like to put in a plug for our Early Learning . The teachers are doing a great job helping our little ones begin to read. Please support your child by making time each day to listen to him or her read. You do not need to TEACH your child to read. Just be supportive of their efforts. You can also help your child by encouraging them to bring home "just right" books from the library. A just right book will have no more than a few unfamiliar words on any one page. You might even like to come in to the library yourself and help your child choose good books. You may even find some books that YOU like too! Parents are of course welcome to set up a borrowing account. Mr. Rick Faulds, Librarian

Grade 7 Photography Trip

People...we see them all over the city, but do we really see them? How many people do we stop and say hello to? When we are behind our cameras is it a bit safer; maybe. The Grade 7's put this theory to the test. In the past few art classes, we experimented in our safe place here on the NISC Campus: we practiced using the camera, arranging interesting photo compositions and asking people for their photos. Then last Thursday morning we took a brief excursion to the Russian Market, Psar Tuol Tom Pong, to take some photos. During our photography trip, students were to politely ask vendors if it was ok to take their photos and then remember to thank them for their time. This was a challenge for a few students: one stated, "it is embarrassing if they say no." Another student, a non-Khmer speaker, took the lead for her group and asked many people if they could take photos, all in Khmer! Our photo project is to see if we can capture a person's character in a portrait, we will use these photos as our source for Phnom Penh Portraits. The photos from the market trip may also be used in the Grade 7 Humanities descriptive writings. Here are some examples of our photos, hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed our photo shoots.

Student Council News

Welcome Back Dance

18th August , 2011 The first Student Council event to start the ball rolling was a major success. The welcome back dance was organized to welcome new students into our family and an event for old students to reconnect. Students from grades 7 all the way to grade 12 had a blast during the dance and all said in one voice that it was indeed the BEST Welcome Back Dance in recent years!!

At Present Currently the Student Council is busy preparing for a priviledge card that will entitle NISC students, teachers and members of the Northbridge Community to discounts and priviledges to some of the most popular franchises in Phnom Penh. We are now meeting businesses such as Sarpinos Pizza, Swensons, Pizza Company, ToTo Ice cream, BBQ Chicken, UCare, Lucky Department Store and many more to request a one year contract that will enable card holders to discounts ranging from 5 15%, including additional privileges when spending over a certain amount. This card will be on sale as soon as the details and production have been finalized.

Lunch
Monday, August 29 - no school Tuesday, August 30 - sandwich bar, turnip and chive soup, beef lasagna, sweet and sour fish, steamed rice, fruit slices, lemon tea Wednesday, August 31 - sandwich bar, green beans in tomato sauce, fish meuniere, hamburger, fries, ice cream, lemon tea Thursday, September 1 - sandwich bar, vegetable soup, sweet and sour pork, pho noodle with beef, steamed rice, bread pudding, lemon tea Friday, September 2 - sandwich bar, clear chicken broth, grilled fish with cream, chicken soto ayam, mash potato, fruit slices, lemon tea Monday, September 5 - sandwich bar, vegetable soup, chicken curry, fried baby noodles with pate, steamed rice, fruit slices in syrup, lemon tea Tuesday, September 6 - sandwich bar, spinach soup, chicken in orange sauce, beef noodle soup, garlic mash potato, banana, lemon tea Wednesday, September 7 - sandwich bar, vegetable cream soup, baked pasta with mixed vegetables, hotdog and vegetables in onion gravy, mash potato, ice cream, lemon tea Thursday, September 8 - sandwich bar, fried egg with onion, seafood and vegetable tempura, steamed rice, bread pudding, lemon tea Friday, September 9 - sandwich bar, chicken soup, sweet and sour fish, pho noodle with beef, steamed rice, fruit slices, lemon tea

Dates to Remember
August 29, Monday - no school September 3, Saturday - Library Saturday Opening September 3, Saturday - NISC Family Barbecue

SPORTS SCHEDULE
Junior Basketball
Friday, 2 September NISC v Hope @ NISC NISC v Hope @ Hope NISC v ISPP @ ISPP NISC v Logos @ NISC NISC v ISPP @ NISC Tournament boys @ Hope; girls @ ISPP NISC v Logos @ Logos Friday, 9 September

September 6, Tuesday - Board of Trustees Meeting September 7, Wednesday - PYP Parent Meeting About the Learner Profile Tuesday, 13 September September 9, Friday - Progress Reports Sent Home Tuesday, 20 September September 13, Tuesday - Parent Group Annual General Meeting Tuesday, 11 October September 14, Wednesday - Early Learning Parents Meeting Saturday, 22 October September 17, Saturday - Student Council Soccer Tournament September 21, Wednesday - PYP Parent Support Night September 26 to 30, Monday to Friday - PChhum Ben, no school October 13 to 14, Thursday to Friday - Parent Conferences October 21, Friday - Cultural Festival October 27 to 29, Thursday to Saturday - MRISA Senior Volleyball, SSIS Tuesday, 1 November

Senior Volleyball
Thursday, 8 September Thursday, 15 September Thursday, 20 September NISC v Logos @Logos NISC v Hope @ Hope NISC v Hope @ NISC Tournament @ Logos NISC v Logos @ NISC NISC v ISPP @ ISPP

Northbridge International School Cambodia

P.O. Box 2042, Phnom Penh 3 Kingdom of Cambodia Phone: Fax: E-mail: (855-23) 886-000/ -006 (855-23) 886-009 info@NISCambodia.com

Saturday, 8 October Thursday, 20 October Monday, 24 October